The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Thursday issued an order directing mobile phone manufacturers, distributors and dealers to protect mobile phone users against SMS scams. 

Under the Memorandum No. 006-09-2022, the agency directed mobile phone manufacturers, distributors and dealers to provide directions to their mobile phone users on how to block texts from mobile numbers not in their contact lists and create a spam folder in their inboxes. 

“These directions shall be disseminated through the manufacturer’s websites and social media accounts (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, etc.), the NTC said.

The regulator also ordered to put up posters in their physical stores to educate the consumers on how to use, enable or activate 

the text blocking, spam folder and other similar features in their phones. 

“Mobile phone manufacturers, distributors and dealers shall include in each new mobile phone package an insert or leaflet containing directions on how to use, enable or activate the text blocking, spam folder and other similar features in their phones,” it added. 

The NTC also informed the manufacturers, distributors and dealers that the  new directive shall form part of the mandatory requirements for type approval/acceptance and related permits for customer premises equipment, particularly mobile phone products filed before  the agency.